Digital camera and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A digital camera which converts a picked-up optical image of an object into digital image data comprises a memory card slot part and a disk drive part. Digital image data can be transferred between a memory attached to the memory card slot part and a small disk inserted into the disk drive part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-130080, filed Apr.26, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a digital camera and a controlmethod thereof in which a still image or a motion picture of a picked-upobject is converted into digital image data and recorded on a portablerecording medium attached to a main body.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] As is well known, a conventional digital camera as describedabove is constructed such that a memory card including, for example, asemiconductor memory and the like is attached to a memory card slot partprovided in the main body of the camera to record digital image data.

[0006] Meanwhile, in recent years, for example, developments have beenmade in the technique of recording/reproducing digital data on/from asmall disk having a diameter of about 1 inch, which has a portabilitysubstantially equivalent to a memory card, by means of magnetism, light,magneto-optics, or the like.

[0007] Therefore, in a digital camera, a disk drive part for driving asmall disk is mounted on its main body, so that digital image data canbe recorded on a small disk.

[0008] However, the digital camera as described above is still beingdeveloped. It has been strongly required that improvements should bemade in various areas so as to comply sufficiently with the needs ofusers.

[0009] Two types of digital cameras are known. The first type uses amemory card as portable recording medium. The second type uses a smalldisk as portable recording medium.

[0010] Data cannot be transferred from the camera of the first type,directly to the camera of the second type. Nor can data be transferredto the camera of the second type, directly to the camera of the firsttype.

[0011] Therefore, in the case of performing a simple edit operation orthe like for transferring digital image data between a memory card and asmall disk, it is necessary to use an optional editing system using a PC(Personal Computer).

[0012] That is, by using this editing system, it is possible to carryout the operation of reading the necessary data from one recordingmedium, storing it, and writing the stored data into another recordingmedium.

[0013] However, if even simple editing cannot be carried out unless anoptional editing system is used, it will be inconvenient for a user. Aproblem hence arises in that the camera is not suitable for practicaluse.

[0014] Note that known techniques concerning an electronic camera forrecording image data obtained by picking up an image onto a recordingmedium are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application KOKAIPublication No. 5-91452 and Japanese Patent Application KOKAIPublication No. 10-233989.

[0015] However, the former reference discloses a technique in whichimage data obtained by picking up an image is stored into either aninternal memory or an external memory in accordance with a selectionmade by a memory selection switch.

[0016] Meanwhile, the latter reference discloses a technique in whichstill image data and moving picture data are respectively stored indedicated memories. Thus, neither of the references includes adescription concerning countermeasures against problems as describedabove.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovesituation and has an object of providing a digital camera and a methodof controlling the same, in which both different types of portablerecording media can be attached and data can be transferred between theportable recording media, so that simple editing can be realized andhandling for users is convenient and suitable for practical use.

[0018] A digital camera according to the present invention converts apicked-up optical image of an object into digital image data. The cameracomprises first and second attachments to which first and secondrecording media of types different from each other can be attached, anda controller recording/reproducing the digital image data onto/from thefirst and second recording media attached to the first and secondattachments.

[0019] A method according to the present invention is to control adigital camera which converts an image of an object into digital data.The method comprises an attachment step of attaching first and secondattachments to which first and second recording media of types differentfrom each other can be attached, and a control step ofrecording/reproducing the digital image data onto/from the first andsecond recording media attached to the first and second attachments inthe attach.

[0020] According to the structure and method as described above, digitalimage data is recorded/reproduced onto/from the first and secondrecording media attached respectively to the first and secondattachments. Therefore, simple editing can easily be realized withoutusing optional editing systems or so like the prior art, so handling forusers is convenient and suitable for practical use.

[0021] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates an outer appearance of a digital still camera;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing a signalprocessing system of a digital still camera in the embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an editing operation formoving digital image data in the embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an editing operation formoving digital image data in the embodiment; and

[0027]FIG. 5 is a front view showing an outer appearance of a digitalstill camera to explain a modification example of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outerappearance of a digital still camera 11, viewed from the front side ofthe camera.

[0029] Specifically, an image pick-up lens 12, a finder 13, a releaseswitch 14, a strobe 15, and the like are provided respectively atpredetermined positions in the digital still camera 11.

[0030] Also, a memory card slot 16 is provided at a side surface thereofin the digital still camera 11. A memory card 17 is inserted into thememory card slot 16.

[0031] In this memory card 17, for example, a memory 17 a constructed bya semiconductor memory chip made in the form of an IC (IntegratedCircuit), a ferroelectric memory chip, or the like are contained in acard-like case 17 b.

[0032] Further, this digital still camera 11 is capable ofrecording/reproducing digital image data obtained by picking up animage, onto/from the memory 17 a of the memory card 17 inserted into thememory card slot 16.

[0033] Further, a disk drive part 18 is provided at the other sidesurface of this digital still camera 11. A disk cartridge 19 having asize substantially equal to the memory card 17 is attached to the diskdrive part 18.

[0034] In the disk cartridge 19, a small disk 19 a capable ofrecording/reproducing digital data by magnetism, light, ormagneto-optics is contained in a casing 19 b.

[0035] Further, the digital still camera 11 is capable ofrecording/reproducing digital image data obtained by picking up an imageonto/from the small disk 19 a in the disk cartridge 19.

[0036] Also, the digital still camera 11 is capable of performingcontrol for reading digital image data from the memory 17 a and writingit into the small disk 19, control for reading digital image data fromthe small disk 19 a and writing it into the memory 17 a, or the like.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows a signal processing system in the digital stillcamera 11. That is, an optical image of an object which is insertedthrough the image pickup lens 12 is focused on a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice) 20 and is photoelectrically converted.

[0038] Further, the analogue image signal outputted from the CCD 20 issupplied to the A/D (Analogue/Digital) convertor 21 and converted intodigital data. The digital image data is thereafter supplied to a CCDsignal processing circuit 22.

[0039] This CCD signal processing circuit 22 performs predeterminedsignal processing on inputted digital image data, thereby to convert thedigital image data into a luminance signal component and a chrominancesignal component.

[0040] Further, digital image data including the luminance signal andchrominance signal obtained by the CCD signal processing circuit 22 iswritten into a work memory 24 through a memory controller 23.

[0041] The digital image data recorded in the work memory 24 is read outonto an image display processing circuit 25 through the memorycontroller 23, and predetermined processing for displaying an image isperformed thereon, so that the data is converted into an analogue imagesignal.

[0042] Thereafter, the analogue image signal outputted from the imagedisplay processing circuit 25 is supplied to an image display device 26externally attached to the digital still camera 11 and displayed as animage.

[0043] Also, the digital image data outputted from the CCD signalprocessing circuit 22 may be guided to an image compression/expansionprocessing circuit 27 through the memory controller 23 and may besubjected to predetermined compression processing.

[0044] Further, the digital image data subjected to compressionprocessing by the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 canbe written into the work memory 24.

[0045] In this case, the digital image data recorded on the work memory24 is fed to the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27, andpredetermined expansion processing is performed, so that the data isconverted into original digital image data.

[0046] The digital image data thus subjected to expansion processing bythe image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 may be guided tothe image display device 26 and may be displayed as an image through theimage display processing circuit 25.

[0047] A series of processing operations as described above areunitarily controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29 whichoperates in response to operation information from an operating part 28including the release switch 14.

[0048] The operation of recording/reproducing digital image dataonto/from the memory 17 a of the memory card 17 and the small disk 19 aof the disk cartridge 19 is also unitarily controlled by the CPU 29.

[0049] That is, the digital image data output from the CCD signalprocessing circuit 22 is supplied via the memory controller 23 to theimage compression/expansion processing circuit 27. The circuit 27compresses the digital image data.

[0050] The digital image data thus subjected to compression processingis once recorded into the work memory 24 through the memory controller23. Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory 24is guided to the memory card slot 16 through the memory controller 23and the CPU 29 and is recorded into the memory 17 a of the memory card17.

[0051] The digital image data recorded in the memory 17 a of the memorycard 17 is read out from the memory card slot part 16 by the memory cardslot part 16 and is once recorded into the work memory 24 after passingthrough the CPU 29 and the memory controller 23.

[0052] Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory24 is introduced to the image compression/expansion circuit 27 andsubjected to expansion processing, so that the data is converted backinto original digital image data.

[0053] Further, the digital image data on which expansion processing isperformed by the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 isfed to the image display device 26 through the memory controller 23 andthe image display processing circuit 25, and is displayed as an image.

[0054] Also, the digital image data, which has been outputted from theCCD signal processing circuit 22 and subjected to compression processingby the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 through thememory controller 23, is once recorded into the work memory 24 throughthe memory controller 23.

[0055] Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory24 is fed to the disk drive part 18 through the main controller 23 andthe CPU 29, and is recorded onto the small disk 19 a of the diskcartridge 19.

[0056] The digital image data recorded on the small disk 19 a of thedisk cartridge 19 is read out by the disk drive part 18 and is oncerecorded into the work memory 24, after passing through the CPU 29 andthe memory controller 23.

[0057] Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory24 is guided to the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27,and expansion processing is performed thereon, so the data is convertedback into the original digital image data.

[0058] Further, the digital image data on which expansion processing isperformed by the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 isguided to the image display device 26 through the memory controller 23and the image display processing circuit 25, to display an image.

[0059] Next, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing an example of editingoperation for moving digital image data recorded on one of two types ofrecording media, which are the memory 17 a and the small disk 19 a, tothe other one of the recording media.

[0060] From the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, compression processing andexpansion processing which are performed on digital image data areomitted to simplify the understanding of its main operation.

[0061] Firstly, upon starting the operation (step S11), the CPU 29collects image files (information) corresponding to all of the digitalimage data recorded on the recording medium as a move source from whichdata is to be moved in the step S12.

[0062] Further, in the step S13, the CPU 29 reads one image file amongall image files (information) collected from the recording medium as themove source, and records it into the work memory 24.

[0063] Thereafter, in the step S14, the CPU 29 determines whether or notthe space necessary for writing data to be recorded exists in therecording medium as a move destination. If it is determined that nospace exists (NO), the operation ends as it is (step S18).

[0064] Otherwise, if it is determined in the step S14 that space existsin the recording medium as the move destination (YES), the CPU 29performs control so as to read the image file recorded in the workmemory 24 and to write it onto the recording medium as the movedestination in the step S15.

[0065] Thereafter, in the step S16, the CPU 29 erases the image filewhich has been completely recorded onto the recording medium as the movedestination. In the step S17, the CPU 29 determines whether or not animage file remains on the recording medium as the move source.

[0066] If it is determined that an image file remains (YES), the CPU 29returns to the processing of the step S13. If it is determined that noimage file remains (NO), the processing is directly ended (in the stepS18).

[0067] According to the structure and operation example as describedabove, both of the memory card 16 and the disk cartridge 19 can beattached to the digital still camera 11. It is therefore possible torealize automatically the editing operation of moving all image filesrecorded on one of the recording media to the other. Handling is thusconvenient for users and is suitable for practical use.

[0068] Next, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart showing an example of explainingan editing operation for copying image data recorded on one of two typesof recording media, i.e., the memory 17 a and the small disk 19 a, tothe other one of the recording media.

[0069] From the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, compression processing andexpansion processing made on digital image data are also omitted tosimplify the understanding of its main operation.

[0070] At first, upon starting (step S19), the CPU 29 collects imagefiles (information) corresponding to all of the digital image data inthe step S20.

[0071] Also, in the step S21, the CPU 29 reads a copy history(information) from the recording medium as a copy source and records itinto the work memory 24. This copy history file is informationindicating presence or absence of a past copy operation with respect toeach image file recorded on the recording medium if the copy source hasbeen copied in the past.

[0072] Further, in the step S22, the CPU 29 grasps the copy status ofeach image file recorded on the recording medium as the copy source,based on the copy history file recorded in the work memory 24.

[0073] Thereafter, in the step S23, the CPU 29 determines whether or notcopying has been completed with respect to an image file recorded on therecording medium as the copy source. If it is determined that copyinghas not been completed yet (NO), the CPU 29 reads the one image filefrom the recording medium as the copy source and records it into thework memory 24 in the step S24.

[0074] In the step S25, the CPU 29 determines whether or not spacenecessary for writing data to be recorded exists in the recording mediumas the copy destination to which data is copied.

[0075] If it is determined that space exists on the recording medium asthe copy destination (YES), the CPU 29 makes control so as to read theimage file recorded in the work memory 24, and write it into therecording medium as the copy destination, in the step S26.

[0076] Thereafter, in the step S27, the CPU 29 adds informationindicating that the image file has been copied, to the copy history filerecorded in the work memory 24. That is, the CPU 29 updates the copyhistory file in the work memory 24.

[0077] Further, after the step S27 or if it is determined in the stepS23 that the one image file recorded on the recording medium as the copysource has been copied (YES), the CPU 29 determines whether an imagefile which has not yet been copied remains in the recording medium asthe copy source, in the step S28. If it is determined that an image fileremains (YES), the processing is returned to the step S22.

[0078] If it is determined in the step S28 that an image file which hasnot yet been copied does not remain any more in the recording medium asthe copy source (NO), or if it is determined in the step S25 that thenecessary space does not exist in the recording medium as the copydestination (NO), the CPU 29 writes the copy history file of the workmemory 24 onto the recording medium as the copy source, in the step S29,and then, ends the processing (step S30).

[0079] According to the operation example as described above, it ispossible to realize automatically the editing operation of selecting animage file which has not been copied in the past from image filesrecorded on one of the recording media and of copying it into the otherone of the recording media. Handling is thus convenient for users and issuitable for practical use.

[0080] Next, FIG. 5 shows a modification example of the embodimentdescribed above. An explanation will now be made with the same parts asthose of FIG. 1 denoted by the same reference symbols. A separatedisplay drive part 30 is provided for a digital still camera 11.

[0081] Specifically, the disk drive part 30 is provided to bedetachable/attachable from/to the digital still camera 11. Its size isarranged such that portability of the digital still camera 11 might notbe hindered even in a state where the drive part is attached to thecamera.

[0082] Further, the disk cartridge 19 as described previously can beattached to the disk drive part 30, and digital image data obtained bypicking up an image by the digital still camera 11 can berecorded/reproduced onto/from the small disk 19 a of the disk cartridge19.

[0083] Even in this structure in which the digital still camera 11 andthe disk drive part 30 are constructed separately from each other, it ispossible to perform control for reading digital image data from thememory 17 a and writing it onto the small disk 19 a, and conversely,control for reading digital image data from the small disk 19 a andwriting it into the memory 17 a, on the contrary, and the like. The editoperations as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can thus be realized.

[0084] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details and representativeembodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera which converts a picked-upoptical image of an object into digital image data, comprising: firstand second attachments to which first and second recording media oftypes different from each other can be attached; and a controllerrecording/reproducing the digital image data onto/from the first andsecond recording media attached to the first and second attachments. 2.The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the controller readsdigital image data from one of the first and second recording mediarespectively attached to the first and second attachments, and recordsthe digital image data onto the other one of the recording media.
 3. Thedigital camera according to claim 2, wherein, in a state in whichdigital image data read from one of the recording media is recorded onthe other of the recording media, the controller erases the recordeddigital image data, from the one of the recording media.
 4. The digitalcamera according to claim 2, wherein the controller sets a restrictionon digital image data which should be read from one of the recordingmedia and recorded onto the other of the recording media, based onhistory information concerning copying of digital image data, which isrecorded on one of the recording media.
 5. The digital camera accordingto claim 4, wherein the controller sets a restriction on such digitalimage data of digital image data recorded on one of the recording mediathat is determined as having been copied, from the history information,such that the digital image data might not be recorded onto the other ofthe recording media.
 6. The digital camera according to claim 4, whereinin a state in which such digital image data of digital image datarecorded on one of the recording media that is determined as not havingbeen copied, from the history information, is recorded on the otherrecording media, the controller updates the history information on theone of the recording media.
 7. The digital camera according to claim 1,wherein the first and second recording media are respectively a memoryand a disk.
 8. A digital camera which converts a picked-up optical imageof an object into digital image data, comprising: attachments to which aplurality of recording media are respectively attached; and a controllertransferring the digital image data among the plurality of recordingmedia attached to the attachments.
 9. A method of controlling a digitalcamera which converts a picked-up optical image of an object intodigital image data, comprising: an attachment step of attaching firstand second attachments to which first and second recording media oftypes different from each other can be attached; and a control step ofrecording/reproducing the digital image data onto/from the first andsecond recording media attached to the first and second attachments inthe attach.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the controlstep includes a step of reading digital image data from one of the firstand second recording media respectively attached to the first and secondattachments and of recording the digital image data onto the other oneof the recording media.
 11. The method according to claim 10, whereinthe control step includes a step of, in a state in which digital imagedata read from one of the recording media is recorded on the other ofthe recording media, erasing the recorded digital image data from theone of the recording media.
 12. The method according to claim 10,wherein the control step includes a step of setting a restriction ondigital image data which should be read from one of the recording mediaand recorded onto the other of the recording media, based on historyinformation concerning copying of digital image data, which is recordedon one of the recording media.
 13. The method according to claim 12,wherein the control step includes a step of setting a restriction onsuch digital image data of digital image data recorded on one of therecording media that is determined as having been copied, from thehistory information, such that the digital image data might not berecorded onto the other of the recording media.
 14. The method accordingto claim 12, wherein the control step includes a step of, in a state inwhich such digital image data of digital image data recorded on one ofthe recording media that is determined as not having been copied, fromthe history information, is recorded on the other recording media,updating the history information on the one of the recording media. 15.The method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second recordingmedia are respectively a memory and a disk.
 16. A method of controllinga digital camera which converts a picked-up optical image of an objectinto digital image data, wherein digital image data can be transferredbetween each other of a plurality of attached recording media.
 17. Adigital camera which converts a picked-up optical image of an objectinto digital image data, comprising: first and second attachment meansto which first and second recording media of types different from eachother can be attached; and a control means for recording/reproducing thedigital image data onto/from the first and second recording mediaattached to the first and second attachment means.
 18. The digitalcamera according to claim 17, wherein the control means reads digitalimage data from one of the first and second recording media respectivelyattached to the first and second attachment means, and records thedigital image data onto the other one of the recording media.
 19. Thedigital camera according to claim 18, wherein, in a state in whichdigital image data read from one of the recording media is recorded onthe other of the recording media, the control means erases the recordeddigital image data, from the one of the recording media.
 20. The digitalcamera according to claim 18, wherein the control means sets arestriction on digital image data which should be read from one of therecording media and recorded onto the other of the recording media,based on history information concerning copying of digital image data,which is recorded on one of the recording media.
 21. The digital cameraaccording to claim 20, wherein the control means sets a restriction onsuch digital image data of digital image data recorded on one of therecording media that is determined as having been copied, from thehistory information, such that the digital image data might not berecorded onto the other of the recording media.
 22. The digital cameraaccording to claim 20, wherein in a state in which such digital imagedata of digital image data recorded on one of the recording media thatis determined as not having been copied, from the history information,is recorded on the other recording media, the control means updates thehistory information on the one of the recording media.
 23. The digitalcamera according to claim 17, wherein the first and second recordingmedia are respectively a memory and a disk.